Major Leaguers continue to provide helping hand in Haiti

Posted on 05/03/2017

By David Heim

Hurricane Matthew devastated Haiti last October and left thousands of families in dire circumstances, but the Major League Baseball Players Trust’s efforts to bring medical aid to the hardest hit areas of the impoverished country are continuing this spring.

Shipment of a container carrying upwards of $400,000 worth of medical supplies and equipment is being delivered to refurbish hospitals and medical facilities in the hard-hit areas of Department Grand’Anse and Department Sud on the western tip of Haiti’s southern peninsula.

“Six months after Hurricane Matthew, Haitians are still suffering for lack of basic medical supplies and the Trust wants to do its part to ensure people are able to get the care they need,” said Melissa Persaud, director of the Players Trust.

A needs assessment was conducted last month by the Trust’s partner in the effort, Project C.U.R.E., to determine the types of supplies and equipment most needed to meet the population’s most essential needs.

Since the hurricane, efforts to deliver much-needed medical supplies and equipment have been hindered due to severe flooding, damaged bridges, road washouts, continuous rain and landslides, but the Trust and Project C.U.R.E. have persevered.

“While the devastation was swift, bringing about strong recovery following a natural disaster of this magnitude is a long and difficult task,” Persaud said. “By following up with these essential supplies we want to send a message of hope and human fellowship.”

The container of medical supplies and equipment being shipped to Haiti represents the reallocation of Players Trust-funded medical supplies originally earmarked for the Dominican Republic. Following the natural disaster last fall, the shipment was diverted for use in Haiti.

More than 540 people were killed in Hurricane Matthew and the storm caused more than $1.9 billion worth of damage to Haiti.

In the storm’s immediate aftermath, the MLBPA/MLB jointly-administered Industry Growth Fund contributed $250,000 to assist areas of Haiti and North Carolina, which also suffered severe damage during Matthew.

For information on how you can help Project C.U.R.E., please click here.